Development of a novel polyelectrolyte complex nanocomposite of modified chitosan and karaya gum for co-delivery of 5-fluorouracil and curcumin for cancer therapy

Combination chemotherapy is a relatively recent and preferred method for cancer treatment. Sustained delivery of dual drugs can be achieved with a suitable matrix. In the present work, a pH-responsive polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) of trimethylchitosan and carboxymethylkaraya gum containing silver nanoparticles (SNps) has been developed as a matrix material for co-delivery of the drugs, 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu) and curcumin (Cur). The experimental conditions have been optimized for high yield and high swelling of the PEC nanocomposite. 1H-NMR, FT-IR, FE-SEM, P-XRD, HR-TEM, EDS, TGA techniques and zeta potential measurements have been employed in the physico-chemical characterization of the nanocomposite material. The presence of SNps with an average diameter of 16.57 ± 1.25 nm influenced the surface structure and hydrophilicity of the PEC. The swelling study indicated higher swelling at pH 7.4 than at pH 1.2. The two drugs, 5-Fu and Cur, were successfully entrapped and released from the nanocomposite in a sustained manner. Cytotoxicity studies performed with the MCF-10A cell line confirmed the biocompatibility of the nanocomposite and those with the MCF-7 cell line indicated the synergistic effect of the dual drugs in controlling cancer cell growth. The overall study indicates the usefulness of the PEC nanocomposite made from modified polysaccharides, chitosan and karaya gum as a promising material for the development of a dual drug delivery system for cancer treatment.